The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-09-08
Ainslie's party as missionary docu

she sang, in voice us musical as the
thrill of blackbird. but broke off
suddenly, to exclaim in guileful ad.
miration: 20 Aunt Madge! How be-
coming those Jacquem;not roses are to
your dark, queenly style! You will
| quite put poor little me and my white
moss-rosebuds in the shade"'
"You will remain in the shade of
your own room," declared the widow,
caustically; she was burning with inn
patience to pursue the missive which
still rested under her slipper. ''Mrs.
| Ainslie knows you are too young to
enter society,""
"But, auntie, you were married at
seventeen" pleaded Mile, her rosy
| lips quivering.
| "And see what wIetched mistake
made!' replied the lady, tossing her
head angrily in memory of her late
always "late'
'''Tis better to have loved and
divorced than never to have loved at
ALL" laughed Mllie, through her tears.
But say, abruptly returning to the
charge in the most coaxingly confiden-
tial tones, "my beloved relatives, you
wouldn't be so cruel as to spoil the
party for Jimmie Randolph by depriy-
ing him of a sight of me, after he hat
spent all his pocket money for these?'
indicating the three boquets bv nod.
Aunt Madge gasped in unfeigncd
horror.
Jimmy! Mildred Travis, do you
mean. by that outrageous nickname, to
indicate Mr.. James Randolph? gen.
tleman thirty years of age, a million
aire who, simply because he has no.
ticed you in fatherly way, from re-
gard for -ahem!-aunts, you
seem to regard as one of your play
mates? l never dn'
Il should hope not" replied Mile,
reprovingly. "It wouldn't be at ali
proper-for you."
"Well," said the widow, decidedly,
"you will remain at home until you
learn that even children. must not be
fooishly familiar with Their elders"
"Aunt Anna" questioned Mile,
soberly, did you ever do anything
foolish?"
"But once in my life," answered the
lady. complacently.
That, of course, means your mar
riage,' remarked the young inquisitor;
"but before that--haven't you got any
old letters tied with blue ribbon, any
lock of gray hair?'
"Gray hair" answered Aunt Anna,
hastily. II should say not"
II didn't mean it was gray when you
cut it from his head" corrected Mllie.
II just supposed it grew SO in the Sc
cret drawer where you 60 to weep
scalding--''
"Nonsenser' put in Aunt Madge, ir-
ritated by the widows appropriation
of the note. "Child, you must stop
reading novels.
''And you were never foolish, either?"
Millie turned her guns upon this new
opponent.
sNever!'
Haven't got sad-eyed, long-lost
Gabriel with a lot of strawberry marks
and pocket full of moles somewhere
in the world looking for you? Never
fiirted wouldn't flirt if you ceuld?"
said M llie, enumerating her aunt's
virtues with tantalzing and unbelieving
glibness,
'No! Flirt! The ideal"
Miss Madge's angry, scandalized face
sent Millie off into a shout of laughter.
Suddenly she stopped and observe d
gravely, as if referring for the first
time to the subject
''Bv the way, auntie, ought to have
white dress for Mrs. Ainslie's party.
What shame we didn't think of it in
time! White lace and moss rosebuds.
with my yellow hair and beautiful
face! OH" this last in small shrek of
exaggerated rapture.
'You conceited little impr'
cried Mistress Anna, losing patience
at last, and stamping her foot, to Mil
lies inward delight. You are not
going! Do you understand"
Mile sprang to her feet, eyes blazing
and cheeks scarlet.
"Well!' she flashed furiouslv, Il
don't care-it's mean! That's what it
is! And wont try to be good! I'll be
a rowdy, I'll talk slang, I'll"
The remainder of the threat was lost
in the slamming of the door as the girl
stormed up the stairs to her own room,
and throwing herself upon the floor,
sobbed passionately during ten con-
secutive minutes.
"Undisciplned child!' smiled the
widow, serenely. "In half hour she
will be kissing us and begging pardon,
as she always does. Madge. will you
kindly step to my door and ask Felice
to sew the lace on my black silk?"
'Certainly," replied Miss Madge,
rising slowly. "But, Ann is-there is
a note. 1 think. lying directly under
your foot. | believe it dropped from
my bouquet"
The widow stopped and secured the
missive.
mo, DEAR" she replied. sweetly, II
am positive it dropped from mine. Mr..
Randolph would naturally speak first
to me-"
Miss Madge blushed coyly. How de-
lightful that Anna should have observed
and read Alright dear James attentions!
And after all, it was honorable in him
to ask the consent of the elder sister
and chaperone before putting the
momentous question to herself.
IL did not think you were so observ-
ing" she remarked beamingly; and
ahem-may I ask what your answer
will beP'
"Why, yes of COURSE" simpercd
the widow. "But." with some surprise,
''though l have long been certain that
his intentions were serious, | hesitated
to mention the matter to you, fearing
you would object"
"Why should IP The catch of the
season.! But" consciously-''h he
said anything definite to you?'
swell, not exactly, but and this
note, though manifestations are
intangible but unmistakable actions.
Has he-ah-mentioned the matter to
youp"
Mo- fluttered Miss Madge; "only
as you say. those intangible"
"Dear girf!' apostrophised the wild
ow, kissing her sisters brow with en-
thusiasm. ITO think, after all my ap-
prehensions. you act in this playfully
sensible manner! But here comes Mil
lie, I will take this little messenger to
my room and rehearse my reply in pri.
yate Ha! haH'
"Hal hal" echoed Miss Madge, turn
inc TO receive a nenitent hug from Nil.